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"Ramen's up. Enjoy—" Kakuzu put on his practiced customer-service smile and set the bowls on the table.
Manji watched as the four men ate and joked together.
Given how much he had interfered, there was a real chance Madara and Hashirama would never end up fighting at all. If it came to that, he would have no way to judge the outcome of their long-standing contest.
He considered interfering again, perhaps sending Black Zetsu to whisper in Madara's ear and reignite the old rivalry.
The thought barely lasted a moment before Manji dismissed it. He had no desire to be the one responsible for tearing them apart. After so many years spent alongside Madara and Izuna, he couldn't bring himself to watch either of them die for the sake of an ancient agreement.
Somewhere along the way, what began as familiarity had quietly become something closer to family.
Manji had always looked after those he considered his own. Once someone became family, he protected them.
"Still, if those four are planning to unite the entire shinobi world, I can't just ignore it..." Manji's eyes narrowed.
He was the Sage of Six Paths, not Konoha's Sage of Six Paths—he was the Sage of the entire shinobi world. Every major power deserved the same treatment.
As the referee, he couldn't afford to play favorites, no matter how much he preferred one side.
..............
By the time the four finished eating, they had nothing but praise for Kakuzu's ramen.
"Boss, what's your name? This ramen is amazing!" Hashirama asked with a broad grin, patting his stomach.
"Ryu. Just call me Shopkeeper Ryu," Manji replied.
"Shopkeeper Ryu? That's a rare name. You don't hear it much." Madara looked at him with interest.
"So I've been told." Manji smiled.
"Well, I'm stuffed. Let's go." Hashirama wiped his mouth and started to get up, only for Manji to stop them with an amused smile.
"Gentlemen, you haven't paid yet..."
"..." The table fell silent.
After a moment, everyone turned to look at Hashirama.
Hashirama dug through his pockets, then slapped a hand against his forehead. "Oh, right! Mito controls all my money now. Ever since my last gambling debt, she won't let me touch it. I'M BROKE!"
He quickly turned to Tobirama.
"Tobirama, cover me this time."
"..." Tobirama's face stiffened. "Brother, did you forget my savings went toward paying off your gambling debts? I'm still waiting for Konoha to pay my salary."
Hashirama blinked, then slowly turned toward Madara for help.
Madara blinked back.
It took a second for the realization to sink in. They actually had to pay for their meal?
"We don't have any money either!" Madara said.
Behind the counter, Kakuzu's face grew darker with each passing second.
No money? Had these bastards come in here planning to eat for free?
Hashirama scratched his cheek, looking more embarrassed by the second. "Shopkeeper Ryu... think you could let us put this one on a tab?"
"Lord Hokage, I'm afraid we don't offer credit." Manji's smile deepened.
..............
Mount Myōboku.
Black Zetsu and Fukasaku had just received a new order from the Grand Sage—one marked with the highest priority. The moment they finished reading the mission, both exchanged surprised looks.
"What exactly is the Grand Sage planning this time?" Fukasaku asked.
"Looks like he wants to straighten things out again. No point overthinking it. The Sage gave the order, so we carry it out." Black Zetsu shook his head.
Fukasaku nodded, the initial surprise fading as excitement took its place.
"Black Zetsu, looks like you and I finally get to play the game together this time."
Several days later, after finishing their preparations, the two stood at the edge of Mount Myōboku, ready to return to the shinobi world.
"Hah! Finally!" Fukasaku could barely contain himself. "After all these years, this old toad finally gets to leave the mountain. I've spent decades piling up knowledge—about time I got a chance to use some of it."
Black Zetsu rubbed his forehead.
"Fukasaku, don't get carried away. This mission is much harder than the one involving Tsuru. Our opponents this time are those four."
"Heh. I'm more worried they won't be challenging enough." Fukasaku grinned, already eager to see what awaited them.
Just as they were about to leave, hurried footsteps sounded behind them.
"SENIOOOORS!" Tobi came charging toward them at full speed.
"Tobi? What are you doing here?" Black Zetsu turned around.
"I'm coming too!!" Tobi swept a hand through hair that didn't exist and lifted his chin with ridiculous confidence.
Black Zetsu and Fukasaku frowned at the same time.
"You're coming?" Black Zetsu crossed his arms. "And who's supposed to guard the Southern Gate while you're gone?"
"Exactly," Fukasaku added. "Did the Grand Sage even give you permission?"
Tobi hooked a finger into his sleeve and pulled out a Mount Myōboku scroll, flourishing it in front of them. "Not only did he approve it—this mission is my Sage promotion exam! If I do well, from now on you'll be looking at Sage Tobi."
Black Zetsu and Fukasaku exchanged another look.
Was the Grand Sage truly letting this 'walking disaster' off the mountain?
"Tobi... You finished your Sage Art training?" Black Zetsu eyed him suspiciously.
"Of course! And mine is pretty much unbeatable!" Tobi gave them a smug little smile.
Fukasaku narrowed his eyes.
"What does it do?"
"HIT ME." Tobi's grin vanished, replaced by a casual look.
Fukasaku stared at him, unsure whether he was joking.
Black Zetsu had no such hesitation. He stepped forward and threw a punch. His fist passed straight through Tobi's body.
"WHAT...?" Black Zetsu stopped and looked down at his hand.
"Sage Art: Water Frog Slash!" Fukasaku's eyes widened. He formed a hand seal, Sage chakra surging through him.
A blue-green blade of water tore through the air and struck Tobi head-on.
It passed through him just as easily. There was no impact, no resistance, nothing at all.
Tobi remained exactly where he was, as if his body had turned to smoke.
"What did you do to yourself??" Black Zetsu stared at him.
"My personal Sage Art—[Merge with Nature]." Tobi's smug expression returned at once. He spread his arms. "Basically, I turn my body into part of the natural air around me. In this state, I'm untargetable."
Tobi paused, then added, "Or you can just call it intangibility."
"So ninjutsu and taijutsu both pass straight through you?" Fukasaku stared at him.
"Mm-hm." Tobi nodded with the expression of someone wondering why they had needed so long to understand.
Black Zetsu studied him for another moment before asking.
"Which region did the Grand Sage assign you?"
Tobi finally lost the playful tone. He raised his eyes and answered, "The Land of Rain."
"..."
"Perfect. Konoha F4 against Mount Myōboku F3. Now we can see which side comes out on top." Fukasaku clapped his hands together.
With their assignments settled, the three shared a final drink together before leaving the mountain behind.
"Well, seniors, this is where we split up!!" When the last cup was set down, each of them turned and headed off in a different direction.
Tobi went to the Land of Rain.
Black Zetsu went to the Land of Earth.
And Fukasaku went to the Land of Water.
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